Andrews

Victor Vincent Andrews was found guilty of threatening a public official, attempting to extort money and five counts of making annoying telephone calls. On appeal he maintains the evidence was insufficient to support some of his convictions, the prosecutor committed prejudicial misconduct and the trial court made two instructional errors. We are unpersuaded by his arguments and affirm.

I

Andrews filed a workers’ compensation action against his employer and its insurance company, CIGNA. In 1995, he represented himself during the three-day trial. Judge Christine Nelson ruled in favor of Andrews’s employer and CIGNA.

While Andrews’s appeal was pending, he repeatedly attempted to contact his employer’s attorney, Steve McNamara. His recorded voice mail messages, letters and statements to a private investigator are the basis of the charged offenses. They are as follows.:

August 16, 1996—Andrews left a voice mail message stating he was considering filing a lawsuit against those involved in the workers’ compensation lawsuit. He said his civil rights had been violated and a “hate crime” had been committed against him. Andrews wanted McNamara to, “advise your people” he would…